Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit is a paradox when France confers him the highest award and Le Monde calls him the one fueling violence across India.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted: “Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses India’s internal matter. PM hasn’t said a word on either! Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade.”
It is noteworthy to comment that while Prime Minister Modi is in France, France conferred the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour on PM Modi yet at the same time, the French newspaper Le Monde, a French daily evening newspaper among the newspapers most read in France, writes of PM Modi, “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a character who has been fueling state violence for decades.”
Unfazed by criticism, Modi forever blissfully seemingly unaware and noncommittal to commenting on raging riots, tweeted happily, “This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the French people for the exceptional warmth and hospitality. May India-France friendship continue to soar!” Modi tweeted as he posted a photograph of the parade.
While Narendra Modi is in France, The EU Parliament “denounced the nationalistic rhetoric deployed by leading members of the BJP party”. The European Parliament’s motion, submitted by six parliamentary groups, emphasized the need for the Indian government to employ all necessary measures to promptly stop the violence and protect religious minorities. It also urges the government to initiate inclusive dialogue with civil society and affected communities to restore calm.
The European Parliament represents the citizens of the European Union and has its primary headquarters in Strasbourg, France. The countries in the EU Parliament are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
Sharply reacting, the Indian government under PM Modi India has condemned the European Parliament resolution on the ethnic clashes in Manipur state, calling it an “interference” in its internal affairs.
During this ethnic and religious violence, it is reported that “. 142 people were killed, 249 churches were destroyed, and 17 people were reported missing. All this erupted in the violence in the north-eastern state which broke out in May. Tens of thousands have been displaced because of the clashes and have been forced to live in temporary shelters.
The resolution called the violence a result of “divisive policies promoting Hindu majoritarianism”.
It came as Indian PM Narendra Modi arrived in France on a two-day visit on Thursday. He was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest civilian honour.
The resolution followed a discussion in the EU Parliament over the violence as part of its debate on breaches of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law during its ongoing plenary session in Strasbourg, France.
On Thursday, India’s foreign ministry responded to the resolution, saying, “such interference in India’s internal affairs is unacceptable, and reflects a colonial mindset”.
Rahul Gandhi, the leader of India’s main opposition Congress party, in June, visited Manipur, the crisis-hit state in northeastern India. His visit took place amidst ongoing ethnic violence in the region, which has resulted in numerous deaths and displacement of residents.
The state has been facing internet service disruptions and travel restrictions, making it challenging for people to move in and out of the region.
The handling of the situation in Manipur has drawn criticism towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from opposition politicians. They have accused the government of a lack of urgency and failure to address the violence effectively. Notably, Prime Minister Modi has not commented publicly on the situation or visited Manipur since the violence began in May.
Gandhi visited relief camps, met with affected families, and engage with members of civil society. He emphasized the need for peace and healing in Manipur, highlighting the importance of collective efforts in bringing harmony to the state.
Congress is standing behind Rahul Gandhi, supporting him strongly. He has been disqualified as an MP after a remark on the surname “Modi”, but all this undeterred Congress and Rahul Gandhi continues visiting states and meeting farmers, and villages. His visit to Manipur was embraced warmly by Manipuris with the people thanking him for the visit. He is the first Neta to visit Manipur. The silence of the prime minister on this matter is stirring unrest but it is quite expected for he never comments on fiery riots and storming communal violence.
In all this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been called out by Le Monde as the engineer fueling state violence for decades, which first started in Gujarat with the loss of lives of over 2000 people. The silence of the prime minister over Manipur burning and lives lost is stirring a ripple of thoughts because, in the end, most recognize this violence is politically propagated and planned. However, it is evident that nothing makes a difference to world leaders when they have something in the coffers waiting for them.
Albert Einstein said, ‘The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.’